1.In situ Analytical Techniques for Membrane Protein Interactions
Zi-Yuan KANG ; Tong YU ; Chao LI ; Xue-Hua ZHANG ; Jun-Hui GUO ; Qi-Chang LI ; Jing-Xing GUO ; Hao XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1206-1218
Membrane proteins are integral components of cellular membranes, accounting for approximately 30% of the mammalian proteome and serving as targets for 60% of FDA-approved drugs. They are critical to both physiological functions and disease mechanisms. Their functional protein-protein interactions form the basis for many physiological processes, such as signal transduction, material transport, and cell communication. Membrane protein interactions are characterized by membrane environment dependence, spatial asymmetry, weak interaction strength, high dynamics, and a variety of interaction sites. Therefore, in situ analysis is essential for revealing the structural basis and kinetics of these proteins. This paper introduces currently available in situ analytical techniques for studying membrane protein interactions and evaluates the characteristics of each. These techniques are divided into two categories: label-based techniques (e.g., co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, resonance energy transfer, and proximity labeling) and label-free techniques (e.g., cryo-electron tomography, in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and structure prediction tools). Each technique is critically assessed in terms of its historical development, strengths, and limitations. Based on the authors’ relevant research, the paper further discusses the key issues and trends in the application of these techniques, providing valuable references for the field of membrane protein research. Label-based techniques rely on molecular tags or antibodies to detect proximity or interactions, offering high specificity and adaptability for dynamic studies. For instance, proximity ligation assay combines the specificity of antibodies with the sensitivity of PCR amplification, while proximity labeling enables spatial mapping of interactomes. Conversely, label-free techniques, such as cryo-electron tomography, provide near-native structural insights, and Raman spectroscopy directly probes molecular interactions without perturbing the membrane environment. Despite advancements, these methods face several universal challenges: (1) indirect detection, relying on proximity or tagged proxies rather than direct interaction measurement; (2) limited capacity for continuous dynamic monitoring in live cells; and (3) potential artificial influences introduced by labeling or sample preparation, which may alter native conformations. Emerging trends emphasize the multimodal integration of complementary techniques to overcome individual limitations. For example, combining in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry with proximity labeling enhances both spatial resolution and interaction coverage, enabling high-throughput subcellular interactome mapping. Similarly, coupling fluorescence resonance energy transfer with nuclear magnetic resonance and artificial intelligence (AI) simulations integrates dynamic structural data, atomic-level details, and predictive modeling for holistic insights. Advances in AI, exemplified by AlphaFold’s ability to predict interaction interfaces, further augment experimental data, accelerating structure-function analyses. Future developments in cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution imaging, and machine learning are poised to refine spatiotemporal resolution and scalability. In conclusion, in situ analysis of membrane protein interactions remains indispensable for deciphering their roles in health and disease. While current technologies have significantly advanced our understanding, persistent gaps highlight the need for innovative, integrative approaches. By synergizing experimental and computational tools, researchers can achieve multiscale, real-time, and perturbation-free analyses, ultimately unraveling the dynamic complexity of membrane protein networks and driving therapeutic discovery.
2.Mortality from cerebrovascular diseases in China: Exploration of recent and future trends
Bin LV ; Ge SONG ; Feng JING ; Mingyu LI ; Hua ZHOU ; Wanjun LI ; Jiacai LIN ; Shengyuan YU ; Jun WANG ; Xiangyu CAO ; Chenglin TIAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(5):588-595
Background::Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ranks among the foremost factors responsible for mortality on a global scale. The mortality patterns of CVDs and temporal trends in China need to be well-illustrated and updated.Methods::We collected mortality data on patients with CVD from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disease Surveillance Points (CDC-DSP) system. The mortality of CVD in 2020 was described by age, sex, residence, and region. The temporal trend from 2013 to 2019 was evaluated using joinpoint regression, and estimated rates of decline were extrapolated until 2030 using time series models.Results::In 2019, the age-standardized mortality in China (ASMRC) per 100,000 individuals was 113.2. The ASMRC for males (137.7/10 5) and rural areas (123.0/10 5) were both higher when stratified by gender and urban/rural residence. The central region had the highest mortality (126.5/10 5), the western region had a slightly lower mortality (123.5/10 5), and the eastern region had the lowest mortality (97.3/10 5). The age-specific mortality showed an accelerated upward trend from aged 55-59 years, with maximum mortality observed in individuals over 85 years of age. The age-standardized mortality of CVD decreased by 2.43% (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.81%) annually from 2013 to 2019. Notably, the age-specific mortality of CVD increased from 2013 to 2019 for the age group of over 85 years. In 2020, both the absolute number of CVD cases and the crude mortality of CVD have increased compared to their values in 2019. The estimated total deaths due to CVD were estimated to reach 2.3 million in 2025 and 2.4 million in 2030. Conclusion::The heightened focus on the burden of CVD among males, rural areas, the central and western of China, and individuals aged 75 years and above has emerged as a pivotal determinant in further decreasing mortalities, consequently presenting novel challenges to strategies for disease prevention and control.
3.Mortality, morbidity, and care practices for 1750 very low birth weight infants, 2016-2021
Yang HE ; Meng ZHANG ; Jun TANG ; Wanxiu LIU ; Yong HU ; Jing SHI ; Hua WANG ; Tao XIONG ; Li ZHANG ; Junjie YING ; Dezhi MU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(20):2452-2460
Background::Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are the key populations in neonatology, wherein morbidity and mortality remain major challenges. The study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of VLBW infants.Methods::A retrospective cohort study was conducted in West China Second Hospital between January 2016 and December 2021. Neonates with a birth weight of <1500 g were included. Mortality, care practices, and major morbidities were analyzed, and compared with those of previous 7 years (2009-2015).Results::Of the total 1750 VLBW, 1386 were infants born with birth weight between 1000-1499 g and 364 infants were born with weight below 1000 g; 42.9% (751/1750) required delivery room resuscitation; 53.9% (943/1750) received non-invasive ventilation only; 38.2% (669/1750) received invasive ventilation; 1517 VLBW infants received complete treatment. Among them, 60.1% (912/1517) of neonates had neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), 28.7% (436/1517) had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 22.0% (334/1517) had apnea, 11.1% (169/1517) had culture-confirmed sepsis, 8.4% (128/1517) had pulmonary hemorrhage, 7.6% (116/1517) had severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)/periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), 5.7% (87/1517) had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and 2.0% (31/1517) had severe retinopathy of prematurity. The total and in-hospital mortality rates were 9.7% (169/1750) and 3.0% (45/1517), respectively. The top three diagnoses of death among those who had received complete treatment were sepsis, NRDS, and NEC. In 2009-2015, 1146 VLBW were enrolled and 895 infants received complete treatment. The proportions of apnea, IVH, and IVH stage ≥3/PVL, were higher in 2009-2015 compared with those in 2016-2021, while the proportions of NRDS and BPD were characterized by significant increases in 2016-2021. The total and in-hospital mortality rates were 16.7% (191/1146) and 5.6% (50/895) respectively in 2009-2015.Conclusion::Among VLBW infants born in 2016-2021, the total and in-hospital mortality rates were lower than those of neonates born in 2009-2015. Incidences of NRDS and BPD increased in 2016-2021, which affected the survival rates and long-term prognosis of VLBW.
4.Research progress of mitochondrial quality control in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity
Qian-Yun NIE ; Wen-Juan DONG ; Gen-Meng YANG ; Li-Xiang QIN ; Chun-Hui SONG ; Li-Hua LI ; Shi-Jun HONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1201-1205
Methamphetamine abuse is a major public health problem in the world,and in recent years,methamphetamine is also the most abused synthetic drug in China.The neurotoxic or addiction mechanism of methamphetamine has not been fully clarified,and there is still a lack of specific withdrawal methods and drugs for methamphetamine abuse.Mitochondria are not on-ly the organelles to which methamphetamine directly produces toxic effects,but also participate in regulating the neurotoxic damage process of methamphetamine.Mitochondrial quality is the regulatory basis for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and is regulated by three main mechanisms,which are mitochon-drial biogenesis,mitochondrial dynamic,and mitophagy.This review summarizes the research progress of mitochondrial quality control in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity,which may provide theoretical support for further research on the mechanism of methamphetamine neurotoxicity and development the mito-chondria-targeting drugs.
5.LncRNA-CCRR regulates arrhythmia induced by myocardial infarction by affecting sodium channel ubiquitination via UBA6
Fei-Han SUN ; Dan-Ning LI ; Hua YANG ; Sheng-Jie WANG ; Hui-Shan LUO ; Jian-Jun GUO ; Li-Na XUAN ; Li-Hua SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(8):1437-1446
Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nism of arrhythmia of sodium channel ubiquitination af-ter MI and to study the electrophysiological remodeling mechanism of lncRNA-CCRR after MI for the preven-tion and treatment of arrhythmia after MI.Methods LncRNA-CCRR transgenic mice and C57BL/6 mice injected with lncRNA-CCRR overexpressed adeno-asso-ciated virus were used.Four weeks after infection,the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was ligated for 12 h to establish a mouse acute myocar-dial infarction model,and the incidence of arrhythmia was detected by programmed electrical stimulation.Ln-cRNA-CCRR overexpression/knockdown adeno-associ-ated virus and negative control were transfected into neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes(NMCMs),and the model was prepared by hypoxia for 12 h.LncRNA-CCRR expression was detected by FISH,Nav1.5 and UBA6 protein and Nav.1.5 mRNA expression were de-tected by Western blot and real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Nav1.5 and UBA6 expressions were detected by immunofluores-cence,and the relationship between lncRNA-CCRR and UBA6 was detected by RIP.INa current density af-ter CCRR overexpression and knockdown was detected by Whole-cell clamp patch.Results In MI mice,the expression of lncRNA-CCRR decreased,the incidence of arrhythmia increased,the expression of CCRR and Nav1.5 mRNA was down-regulated,the protein ex-pression of Nav1.5 was down-regulated,and the pro-tein expression of UBA6 was up-regulated compared with sham group.Overexpression of CCRR could re-verse the above changes.AAV-CCRR could reverse the down-regulated CCRR and Nav1.5 mRNA levels af-ter hypoxia,and improve the expression of Nav1.5 and UBA6 protein.The direct relationship between ln-cRNA-CCRR and UBA6 was identified by RIP analy-sis.The INa density increased after transfection with AAV-CCRR.The INa density decreased after transfec-tion with AAV-si-CCRR.Conclusions The expres-sion of lncRNA-CCRR decreases after MI,and ln-cRNA-CCRR can improve arrhythmia induced by MI by inhibiting UBA6 to increase the protein expression level of Nav1.5 and the density of INa.
6.Single mini-incision combined with honeycomb titanium plate in treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint disloca-tion
Yu-Chen WANG ; Wei-Zhong YU ; Yun-Feng LI ; Wen-Ke ZHU ; Chuan JIA ; Jun-Qi WU ; Hua GAO ; Lin JI
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(6):576-582
Objective To explore clinical effect of single small incision with honeycomb titanium plate in treating acute acromioclavicular dislocation.Methods The clinical data of 40 patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation admitted from December 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups according to different surgical methods.Among them,20 patients were fixed with single small incision with honeycomb titanium plate(titanium plate group),including 11 males and 9 females,aged from 23 to 65 years old with an average of(47.40±12.58)years old;12 patients on the left side,8 patients on the right side;11 patients with type Ⅲ,3 patients with type Ⅳ,and 6 patients with type Ⅴ according to Rockwood classification.Twenty patients were fixed with clavicular hook plate(clavicular hook group),including 8 males and 12 females,aged from 24 to 65 years old with an average of(48.40±12.08)years old;12 patients on the left side,8 patients on the right side;10 patients with type Ⅲ,2 patients with type Ⅳ,and 8 patients with type V according to Rockwood classifica-tion.Operative time,incision length,intraoperative blood loss,hospital stay,visual analogue scale(VAS)and Constant-Murley score of shoulder joint function were compared between two groups.Anteroposterior radiographs of the affected shoulder joint were recorded before,immediately and 6 months after surgery,and the coracoclavicular distance was measured and compared.Results Both groups of patients were successfully completed operation without serious complications.All patients were fol-lowed up for 6 to 15 months with an average of(11.9±4.8)months.There were no incisional infection,internal plant fracture or failure,bone tunnel fracture and other complications occurred.The incision length of titanium plate group(35.90±3.14)mm was significantly shorter than that of clavicular hook group(49.30±3.79)mm(P<0.05).There were no significant difference in operative time,intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between two groups(P>0.05).At 1 and 3 months after operation,VAS of titanium plate group was lower than that of clavicular hook group(P<0.05).Connstant-Murley scores in titanium plate group at 1,3 and 6 months after operation were(86.80±1.36),(91.60±2.32)and(94.90±2.22),respectively;and in clavicular hook group were(78.45±5.47),(85.55±2.01)and(90.25±1.92),which were higher than that of clavicular hook group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in coracoclavicular distance between two groups immediately and 6 months after op-eration(P>0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation,single small incision combined with honeycomb titanium plate have advantages of shorter incision,fast recovery of shoulder joint function without the second operation,and has good satisfaction of patient.
7.Early clinical efficacy study on the efficacy of a three-stage conservative Chinese medicine external treatment for a-cute lateral ankle ligament injuries
Qing-Xin HAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Jun-Ying WU ; Xiao-Hua LIU ; Yan LI ; Tian-Xin CHEN ; Yu YI ; Mei-Qi YU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(10):997-1002
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of a new three-phase Chinese medicine(CM)external treatment for acute lateral ankle ligament injuries.Methods From July to December 2023,64 patients with acute lateral ankle ligament in-juries were randomly assigned to receive either the new three-phase CM external treatment combined with the POLICE(pro-tect,optimal loading,ice,compression,elevation)treatment(observation group)or the POLICE treatment(control group),with 32 cases in each group.The observation group consisted of 17 males and 15 females,with an average age of(30.59±3.10)years old ranging from 25 to 36 years old,while the control group included 14 males and 18 females,with an average age of(30.03±3.19)years old ranging from 24 to 37 years old.Visual analogue scale(VAS)evaluation and Figure of 8 measurement were used to evaluate the degree of ankle joint pain and swelling of the subjects at the initial enrollment and after 1 week and sixth weeks of treatment.At the same time,the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)and Karlsson Ankle Function Score System were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle joint function in patients at all stages.MRI imaging was employed to observe the degree of biological healing of the anterior talofibular ligament,with the signal to noise ratio(SNR)in-dicating the level of healing.A lower SNR suggests better ligament healing,as it represents lower water content in the ligament.Results All patients completed a 6-week follow-up.There was no significant difference in VAS,AOFAS score and Karlsson score between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).After 1 week and 6 weeks of treatment,the VAS,AOFAS score and Karlsson score of the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05).After 1 week of treatment,the VAS score of the obser-vation group(3.21±0.87)was lower than that of the control group(4.21±1.50),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After 1 weeks of treatment,the AOFAS and Karlsson scores[(50.84±4.70)points,(49.97±4.00)points]of the ob-servation group were higher than those[(46.91±5.56)points,(46.66±5.36)points]of the control group(P<0.05).MRI images showed that after 6 weeks of treatment,the SNR value of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(SNR of the observation group was 75.25±16.59,the contral gruop was 85.81±15.55),(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with the control group,the new three-phase CM external treatment is signifi-cantly effective in reducing pain and swelling,enhancing ligament repair quality,and promoting functional recovery of the an-kle joint in patients with acute lateral malleolar ligament injuries.
8.Investigation of tick species and potential pathogenic ricks in certain areas of Wuwei City,Gansu Province
Rui-Shan LI ; Zhen HE ; Xiang YUAN ; Shi-Wei SUN ; Yi-Wen LIU ; Wen-Kai ZHANG ; Lin ZHANG ; Yu-Hua WANG ; Zhen-Hua LU ; Zhao-Hua JI ; Zhong-Jun SHAO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(4):328-333
To understand the distribution of ticks in the Wuwei Region,enrich tick species data,and provide a basis for the prevention of tick-borne diseases,tick were collected using flagging and tick-picking methods during the highest activity period from April to September in 2021 and 2022 in the mountainous areas of Wuwei City.The ticks were identified based on morpho-logical and molecular biological characteristics,and characteristic sequences were obtained.A systematic evolutionary tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method in MEGA 11.0 software.In total,7 342 ticks collected in Wuwei,which be-longed to 5 species from 4 genera with in the Ixodidae family,which included Dermacentor nuttalli,Hyalomma asiaticum,Ixodes canisuga,Haemaphysalis longicornis and Haema-physalis danieli.Ticks of the same species clustered together into the same branch of an evolutionary tree.In the Wuwei Re-gion,five common tick species are found across various habi-tats,with each habitat featuring different distributions of tick species and populations.The Dermacentor nuttalli is the dom-inant tick species in this area.
9.JIB-04 Regulates the MDM2/P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Axis to Induce Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inhibiting KDM4C Expression
Jian LI ; Jun-Hao JIN ; Yan-Hua JIN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(8):1144-1152
It has been reported that Jumonji histone demethylase inihibitor(JIB-04)inhibits the occur-rence and development of tumors,but the specific mechanism is still unclear.In this paper,hepatocellu-lar carcinoma cells HepG2 and Huh7 were used as the models,and the effect of JIB-04 on the prolifera-tion of hepatocellular carcinoma was explored and its mechanism was explained.CCK-8 assays and EDU staining assays showed that JIB-04 reduced the proliferation ability of HepG2 and Huh7 cells in a concen-tration-dependent manner,with the half-inhibitory concentrations being 0.7689 μmol/L and 0.7392μmol/L,respectively.Flow cytometry analysis showed that JIB-04 could significantly activate the accu-mulation of ROS in cells.The levels of intracellular GSH and lipid peroxide MDA were detected by gluta-thione(GSH)detection kit and lipid peroxide malondialdehyde(MDA)detection kit,respectively.It was found that under 2 μmol/L JIB-04 treatment,the intracellular GSH of HepG2 and Huh7 cells de-creased by 88.4%and 80.7%,respectively.Lipid peroxides increased 4.75-fold and 9.25-fold,respec-tively.qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that JIB-04 could significantly reduce the mRNA levels and protein levels of ferroptosis related factors GPX4 and SLC7A11,while ferroptosis related path-way protein MDM2 was significantly down-regulated and P53 protein was significantly up-regulated.Mechanistic analysis found that JIB-04 reduced histone demethylase KDM4C protein levels by about 58%and 51%.A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that Tri-methylation level of histone H3 at ly-sine 9 at the promoter region of the MDM2 gene,was increased by 2.19-fold and 2.14-fold respectively in JIB-04 treated hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Meanwhile,qRT-PCR proved that MDM2 mRNA level was significantly down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma cells after JIB-04 treatment.In summary,this study initially reveals that JIB-04 could downregulate the expression of the specific demethylase KDM4C,and then affect the methylation level of H3K9me3 in the promoter region of MDM2 gene to in-hibit the expression of MDM2 gene,reduce MDM2 protein binding to P53 protein,upregulate P53 pro-tein expression and simultaneous downregulate ferroptosis related proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4.It leads to intracellular GSH depletion,ROS and lipid peroxide accumulation,and finally leads to ferroptosis of cells.
10.Clinical Analysis of Philadelphia Chromosome-Like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
Tian-Dan LI ; Shao-Yan HU ; Zong ZHAI ; Guang-Hua CHEN ; Jun LU ; Hai-Long HE ; Pei-Fang XIAO ; Jie LI ; Yi WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(1):78-84
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics,molecular characteristics,treatment and prognosis of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia(Ph-like ALL)with a therapeutic target.Methods:A total of 27 patients of Ph-like ALL with targeted drug target were initially diagnosed in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from December 2017 to June 2021.The data of age,gender,white blood cell(WBC)count at initial diagnosis,genetic characteristics,molecular biological changes,chemotherapy regimen,different targeted drugs were given,and minimal residual disease(MRD)on day 19,MRD on day 46,whether hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)were retrospective analyed,and the clinical characteristics and treatment effect were summarized.Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method.Results:The intensity of chemotherapy was adjusted according to the MRD level during induced remission therapy in 27 patients,10 patients were treated with targeted drugs during treatment,and 3 patients were bridged with HSCT,1 patient died and 2 patients survived.Among the 24 patients who did not receive HSCT,1 patient developed relapse,and achieved complete remission(CR)after treatment with chimeric antigen receptors T cells(CAR-T).The 3-year overall survival,3-year relapse-free survival and 3-year event-free survival rate of 27 patients were(95.5±4.4)%,(95.0±4.9)%and(90.7±6.3)%respectively.Conclusion:Risk stratification chemotherapy based on MRD monitoring can improve the prognosis of Ph-like ALL in children,combined with targeted drugs can achieve complete remission as soon as possible in children whose chemotherapy response is poor,and sequential CAR-T and HSCT can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of Ph-like ALL in children whose MRD is continuously positive during induced remission therapy.

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